Information for international applicants

The School of Graduate Studies establishes the minimum academic requirements for admission. Some programs have additional requirements, such as higher academic standing. These are detailed in the School of Graduate Studies Calendar by graduate unit: 
 

• Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development
• Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
• Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education
• Department of Social Justice Education
   

Graduates of recognized academic institutions outside Canada should hold an appropriate bachelor's or master's degree or its equivalent as assessed by the University of Toronto. Use the International Credentials Equivalencies tool to see which international credentials are required for admission.

Applicants are required to submit an online unofficial electronic transcript from each and every post-secondary institution attended. Online transcripts are unofficial electronic records you upload to your online admissions application.

An English translation of all international documentation written in a language other than English or French must be uploaded as part of a transcript. It’s preferable to upload the original language document together with an English translation. If the original language document is not available, upload the English translation only.   

Do not submit an official transcript and/or official certified English translation because it is not required at the time of application. If you receive an offer of admission, an official transcript with an official certified English translation is required as a condition of admission.

For information about official transcripts (and official certified English translation), see Satisfy your conditions of admission.

If you receive an offer of admission and an official transcript is then required, we recognize some international applicants may experience difficulty obtaining official transcripts. If an easier pathway is World Education Services (WES), we will accept an academic record from WES provided it:

• is the International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) (so it includes a copy of the academic record received directly from the educational institution and verified by WES);
• if written in a language other than English or French, includes a certified English language translation completed by an accredited Translation Service (not WES).

WES is the only evaluation service from which we accept official records.

To be official an academic record from WES must be provided one of two ways:

Electronic:  You can add OISE as a recipient at the time WES assesses your documents or if WES has already assessed your documents you can order an additional report and add OISE as a recipient. To add OISE as a recipient you must:

1. Search for the University of Toronto. 
    
2. Click-on the University of Toronto and choose “OISE, Office of the Registrar and Student Services” from the School/Division drop-down menu.

Paper: To be considered official, a paper copy of the ICAP must be received directly by the Office of the Registrar and Student Services in a sealed envelope, signed/stamped by WES.

As English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Toronto, applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of citizenship status or country of origin. 
 

It is important that applicants follow the School of Graduate Studies’ policies on English language proficiency and testing requirements. We require minimum scores for all tests and Academic Division Social Sciences for TOEFL.

International applicants should think through the financial implications of being an OISE student. 

Living in Toronto is one benefit of being an OISE student as Toronto is one of the safest and most diverse cities in North America. The cost of living can be high compared to other places to live.

International PhD degree students pay the domestic tuition fee, while non-PhD degree international students pay the international student tuition fee. Having access to good health care is important, so international students pay for the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Some international students also consider working in Canada during their studies.

To get a better sense of how to budget as an international student and what it might cost to study in Toronto, you can use the financial planning calculator tool. 

What if I can’t get an official transcript?

I prefer to submit an official transcript to OISE instead of uploading an unofficial one – is that okay?

How do I know if I require a TOEFL score?

If I need to provide proof of English language proficiency will I get an offer of admission?